The Alabama Department of Transportation is seeking the final permit needed to begin construction of Birmingham’s planned multibillion-dollar Northern Beltline project.

According to a June public notice, ALDOT has refiled a request for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers environmental permit that would give the state the greenlight to begin construction as soon as possible.

The project has been a longtime priority for Birmingham business leaders and is included as an action item in the Birmingham Business Alliance’s Blueprint Birmingham strategic economic development plan.

Initially requested last year, ALDOT withdrew the first application in November until an in-depth study of the full project could be completed.

Depending on the Army Corps’ decision on the latest application, the state could let the project out for bid later this year or early next year, ALDOT Third Division Engineer Brian Davis said.

“Everything has been done on the project,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting the Corps permit, adjusting some utilities that are in the way for construction activities, and to let the project.”

According to the public notice, the 3.4-mile first phase of the six-lane highway would span from Alabama 79 to Alabama 75 in Palmerdale, roughly 20 miles northeast of Birmingham.

The project is the first phase of 52.5-mile highway that would link Interstate 20/59 in Bessemer to Interstate 59, north of Trussville. Combined with the existing Interstate 459, the roads would encircle the city center.

In discussion since the late 1970s, activity and debate on the project has heated up in recent years.

Evan Belanger covers health care, technology and more for the Birmingham Business Journal.

Comments

If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.